Two Girls Trapped In Elevator For 2 Hours — Security Guard’s Response Sparked Outrage

A heartbreaking incident in Hangzhou, China has sparked outrage online after two 9-year-old girls were trapped inside a malfunctioning elevator for nearly two hours while desperately pressing the emergency button dozens of times without receiving help.

According to reports, the terrifying incident happened inside a residential condominium in Linping District, Zhejiang Province. The girls had entered the elevator normally when it suddenly jerked violently and stopped operating, trapping them inside the enclosed space.

Surveillance footage later revealed the emotional moments inside the elevator.

The two frightened children were seen:

• crying,
• hugging each other,
• shouting for help,
• and repeatedly pressing the emergency call button.

Parents claimed the girls pressed the emergency button at least:

35 times,

while some estimates suggested the total may have reached nearly 50 attempts.

What shocked the public most was what happened next.

Reports stated that the building’s security guard actually received the emergency calls through the intercom system. However, instead of checking the situation, he allegedly assumed the children were simply playing with the elevator alarm.

According to the parents, the guard reportedly responded through the speaker by scolding the girls:

“Stop pressing the elevator buttons for fun!”

before hanging up and failing to send anyone to inspect the elevator.

Meanwhile, the children remained trapped inside for almost two hours in panic and fear.

The girls’ parents only realized something was wrong after noticing their daughters had not returned home. They eventually coordinated with maintenance staff, who managed to open the elevator around 7:36 PM.

Technical reports later revealed the malfunction was caused by a burned-out elevator contactor inside the control system.

However, public anger focused less on the mechanical failure and more on the human response.

The girls’ mother tearfully explained that while trapped inside, the children could hear people walking nearby outside the elevator and began waving excitedly toward the surveillance camera because they believed their parents had finally arrived to rescue them.

In reality, the parents still did not even know which building the girls were trapped inside because security staff had failed to provide clear information.

Following massive criticism online, the property management company released a statement claiming the emergency communication system experienced signal issues that night. However, many residents and internet users rejected the explanation, arguing that standard safety procedures require security personnel to physically inspect any elevator emergency alert immediately.

As backlash intensified, the property management company later confirmed that the security staff on duty that evening had been dismissed from their positions.

Many people online described the case as deeply disturbing, with some commenting:

“What if it had been an elderly person or someone with a heart condition trapped inside?”

Others said the situation proved how dangerous human negligence can become during emergencies — especially when frightened children are begging for help.